WHITE ANTS 



(Order Isoptera.) 



Although from their peculiarities of structure the insects of 

 this group form a distinct order, there are not many genera 

 or species, and there is in flict but a single family, namely, the 

 Termitidze (unless the curious family Embiidse be included here, 

 which would not seem to be justified). All isopterous insects 

 are known popularly as white ants. As the late Dr. George Marx 

 once remarked jocularly to the writer, "they are called white 

 ants because they are not ants and because they are not white." 



Fig. 241.— Termes flavipes : adult male. (After Marlatt.) 



At this late date it is almost hopeless to attempt to change a popu- 

 lar term so thoroughly grafted upon the literature and upon the 

 popular mind, but if people would only call them termites, a short 

 and easy word to pronounce, instead of keeping up the bald mis- 

 nomer—white ants— the cause of accuracy and truth would gain. 

 Perhaps there is a slight superficial resemblance between these 

 insects and ants, but they are structurally radically different. 

 They belong at the opposite end of the insect series and are more 

 closely allied to the stone-flies, the May-flies and even the dragon- 



353 



